[Semantic verbal fluency in neurological patients without dementia with a low educational level]

The Semantic Verbal Fluency Test (sVFT) is very sensitive to cognitive deterioration. Standard values are usually those found in normal persons with an average or high cultural level. We analyze the results of a sVFT in a broad sample of persons assessed in a Neurology Clinic so as to find the standard values in this particular population.

A sVFT (animals in one minute) was given to 138 patients without dementia, aged over 55 years, assessed in the Neurology Clinic. Variables recorded were sex, age, years of schooling, studies completed, diagnosis and place of origin. A bivariate descriptive study and multivariate lineal regression analysis was done following a 'step by step' strategy.

This group had a low educational level (72% had been to school for less than 10 years), with an average +/- standard error of 16.02 +/- 0.45 animals in one minute. The variables: years of schooling, sex, age and diagnosis showed a significant association with semantic verbal fluency in the adjusted regression model.

Our values are lower than those of other standard groups. This may be related to the low educational level of our group and to the inclusion of persons with neurological disorders. The lineal regression model proposed permits prediction of the values of semantic verbal fluency in specific persons depending on their personal characteristics.